I knew that every minute was precious to me, yet I remained irresolute in what manner to commence the interview; when the old man addressed me — 'By your language, stranger, I suppose you are my countryman; — are you French?'

After all, only a hopelessly dysfunctional, politically riven and terminally confused and irresolute society would respond to naked aggression by an oppressive Arab tyranny against its neighbor by launching a large-scale invasion, only to abruptly end hostilities with the aggressor government intact and still in power, settling instead for a long-term blockade to prevent the aggressor from rearming.